Local authorities take precautions against H1N1 flu virus

By now, everyone must be aware that the H1N1 flu virus, the swine flu, has been diagnosed in nearly every state. The disease has become a pandemic, one that appeared well in advance of the normal seasonal flu season. President Barack Obama declared the outbreak a national emergency on Saturday, something administration officials called a preemptive action to give health authorities additional powers if needed.

Statistics on H1N1 illness and hospitalizations, as distinct from ordinary seasonal flu, are hard to come by, since most people with flu-like symptoms are not tested. However, nearly 100 children under 18 in this country have died of the N1H1 virus. Two Montanans have died of it, one in Lewis and Clark County and one in Roosevelt County. Both were adults with other health problems.

Schools on alert

Because this new flu strain seems particularly dangerous for children, local schools have been taking precautions, and school officials say the absentee list is not too far above normal.

"So far, so good," said Rachel Erickson, principal of Irle School. "There are not a lot of flu-like symptoms."

She said they have hand sanitizers going around and lots of hand washing. While the children are outside on the playground, staff members sanitize the bathrooms and the surfaces in public areas. They instruct the children to cover a sneeze in their sleeve but realistically they don't always do it.

"We are talking a lot about sneezing and precautions, but it's hard to remember to do that when you're right in the midst of a sneeze or cough," Erickson said.

East Side School had nine or 10 children out on Tuesday, some with colds but most probably have the flu. Teachers are being proactive by having all the students wash their hands under supervision before they have lunch. East Side received a Health Department grant to buy wipes and hand sanitizer.

At Glasgow High School, absenteeism is up a bit.

"We have more illnesses than we've had, but it is cold and flu season," said Principal Marj Markle. She is in contact with County Health Nurse Vickie Bell daily, and they are doing all they can as preventive measures. There are hand wipes in every room and they wipe the desks a couple of times a day. School officials had student athletes take everything out of their gym lockers last Friday so they could be disinfected over the weekend. This will be a permanent measure, Markle said.

"We are trying to keep the kids who are here healthy," she said.

Hospital gets calls

Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital has had a lot of calls about swine flu and a lot of people have come to the emergency room, but they have not been hospitalized.

"There's a lot of fear out there and I understand it," said Suzanne Billingsley, a registered nurse at FMDH.

While some hospitals in Montana have limited visitors to those over 18, Randy Holom, CEO of FMDH, said they are not placing any restrictions on visitors. The exception is visits to OB patients, which are limited to a woman's significant other because of the high risk of swine flu to pregnant women and children.

"We ask people to understand we're in cold and flu season. We want them to avoid visiting if they are coughing and sneezing," Holom said.
Billingsley said staff would stop people who appear to be sick and ask them to go home.

The Valley County Health Department says that for most otherwise healthy individuals, testing for H1N1 is not recommended at this time, due in part to the widespread illness, and because most healthy individuals will not be treated for H1N1 unless there is an underlying medical condition or concern. In those cases, people should contact their health care provider. Otherwise, the recommendation is to stay home and drink plenty of fluids. People are asked not to return to work or school until they have been without a fever for 24 hours, without the use of temperature-reducing medicines

High-risk group has priority

The Valley County Health Department has been administering the limited supply of H1N1 vaccine to the priority groups of people who are at the highest risk of H1N1influenza complications. They would like to thank the people of Valley County for being supportive and understanding of this policy.
Healthy 2- to 4-year-olds may be vaccinated at the Health Department on Thursday, Oct. 29, starting at 2 p.m., with a very limited supply of the live, nasal vaccine only. Children will be vaccinated on a first come, first served basis.

They are continuing to vaccinate the high priority group with their limited supply at this time. This includes:

pregnant women (please contact your health care provider)

persons who live with or provide care to infants under 6 months of age (e.g.,

parents, siblings and daycare providers)

children age 6 months – 4 years

children and adolescents age 5-18 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications, such as asthma and diabetes.

health care workers

Contact the Health Department, 228-6261, if you or your family member is in this highest risk group and has not been vaccinated for H1N1. The Health Department asks people to please keep in mind that the vaccine is coming in slowly, and they continue to ask for your patience. They anticipate the increase of H1N1 vaccine over the next month, and will keep the public updated as the vaccine is available.

There are two different H1N1 vaccines. The nasal spray vaccine is a weakened, but live vaccine and is limited to healthy 2- to 49-year-olds with no other underlying medical conditions.

Individuals 6 months to 2 years old, or who are pregnant, have asthma, diabetes or certain other underlying health conditions need to receive the injectable vaccine, which is more limited in supply at this time.

There is no charge for either one of the H1N1 vaccines.